The 450+ year old city of pearls “Hyderabad” is an incredible destination packed with historic architectural buildings and wonderful tourist attractions. The city of Hyderabad is known for its unique mixed culture which is also known as mini India. With great food, shopping centers, abundance of fascinating architecture ranging from centuries old unique structures to contemporary designs. An overview of 10 places to visit in Hyderabad which are most visited by tourists.

10. Chowmahalla Palace

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The Chowmahalla Palace in Hyderabad was once the seat of the Asaf Jahi Dynasty and was built with a purpose to attend to royal guests and visitors. Palace is located near the famous Charminar and Laad Bazaar. Every section is so intricately designed and surprises all with its Nawabi charm. In the Palace you can also explore an exclusive collection of beautiful pictures from the bygone era. Apart from that, vintage cars, crockery, furniture and ensembles are all on display. The Chowmahalla Palace is now open to a selected few individuals and corporates for hosting events like dinners, musical evenings etc. Chowmahalla Palace is one of the best places to visit in Hyderabad to find out of the Nawabi Culture.

9. Mecca Masjid

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The history tells us that Mohammad Quli Qutub Shah initiated the building of the Masjid in 1617 while the Mughal Emperor Aurangazeb finished its construction in 1694. The Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad lies at a distance of only 100 yards from the known monument of Charminar. Mecca Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in India. It has a main hall capable of hosting 10,000 worshipers. A significant history within Islamic culture has made Mecca Masjid a destination for both believers and tourists. A must visit tourist attractions of Hyderabad which is very close to Charminar. Mecca Masjid is one of the biggest mosques and most important places to visit in Hyderabad,

8. Nehru Zoological Park

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Located at a distance of 16 km from Hyderabad, Nehru Zoological Park was opened to the public in the year of 1963. The zoo has been named after Jawaharlal Nehru. The zoo has rich fauna including the avian fauna as well such as Indian Rhino, Asiatic Lion, Tiger, Panther, Giraffe, Gaur, Deer, Orangutan, etc. The place also has a rich population of reptiles such as Crocodile, Python, etc. Popular picnic spot for the twin cities- Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the zoo has natural history museum. There is also a children park in the Zoo.

7. Shilparamam

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Shilparamam, the arts and crafts cultural village at Hyderabad, established in the year 1992. Shilparamam is Hyderabad’s tribute to India’s natural beauty and vibrant ethos. It is a place where artisans from across India showcase their individual skills in a variety of arts, crafts and culture. From Indian pottery to a plethora of weaves, woodwork, jewelry, clothes and local crafts of each region of the country, Shilparamam is a kaleidoscope of India’s diversity and talent. Shilparamam is conceived as an endless, year-round festival of arts and crafts showcasing ethnic art, crafts and skills of the rural.

6. SalarJung Museum

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The SalarJung Museum is situated on the southern bank of the Musi River in the city of Hyderabad, comparable to London’s Museum. From sculptures to paintings, carvings, manuscripts, ceramics, carpets, metal work, clocks, and furniture from all over the world, the Salar Jung is the third largest India’s museums and one of the important tourist attractions of Hyderabad depicting the historic architecture. In addition to the extensive painting collections, the artifacts on display give an indication of the wealth of craftsmanship that has existed around the globe for centuries; exquisite textiles from the Middle East, ornamental jade carvings from Indian Emperors, ceramics from Sino-Japan, and glass and furniture from Europe.

5. Birla Mandir

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Birla Mandir is located towards the southern end of Hussain Sagar Lake in Hyderabad. It is situated atop the Kala Pahad which is a twin hillock of Naubat Pahad. The Birlas built the Hyderabad temple in 1976 and constructed it with white marbles imported from Rajasthan. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu present in the form of Shri Venkateswara. The temple combines the architectural styles of Utkal (Oriya) and South Indian style. In the evening, Birla Mandir presents a spectacular sight upon illumination. An enchanting Birla Mandir trip is a trip to remember and combines excellent architecture.

4. Lumbini Park

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Lumbini Park is located in the heart of the city near the Hussain Sagar Lake .Maintained by the Buddha Purnima Project Authority. The park has been named after the garden that was the birth place Lord Buddha. The park is a perfect place where a family can get together and spend time with dear ones. The park also contains a statue of Lord Buddha located in the middle of the lake on a raised platform. The main attraction of the park is the laser show that takes place every day. Boating is another attraction that pulls visitors to this place.

3. Golconda Fort

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Golconda Fort Hyderabad is an outstanding example of brilliant engineering and magical architecture. Located at a distance of 11km from the city. The sound of clapping at the entrance can be heard at the ‘Bala Hissar’ which is the highest point. Other attractive features of the Fort include water supply system as well as famous ‘Rahban’ cannon. Ramdas’ prison is one of the popular spot inside the fort. Another feature is light and sound show presenting its history and facts. The sound and light show at Golconda Fort is done in three languages namely English, Hindi and Telugu.

2. Buddha Statue in Hussain Sagar Lake

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Standing in the middle of Hussain Sagar Lake, Buddha Statue is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Hyderabad. With a height of 72 feet (22 meters) and a whopping weight of more than 450 tons, Buddha Statue has the fame of being the largest single stone statue of Buddha not just in India but also in entire world. Buddha statue in the Hussain Sagar boasts of being a holy pilgrimage as well. To reach the Buddha Statue, you have ferry service from Lumbini Park to the rock of Gibraltar, on which this statue stands.

1. Charminar

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Charminar is an amazing blend of Indo-Islamic architecture situated in Hyderabad. Charminar represents the glorious history of the city. Built in 1591, Charminar is a square-shaped structure. There are 45 prayer spaces in Charminar which is still visited by people, especially on Fridays. On the top floor of Charminar, there is a small mosque. The name Charminar, which means “four (chaar)” “pillars (minars)” came from its structure which consists of four intricately carved pillars, one on each side. If you are a art lover and enjoy exploring the grandeur of decades old architecture, you can make a visit to Charminar. Charminar is one of the most visited tourist attractions of Hyderabad and India too.